Really want to take a year or two out, i want to do a working year in Oz. Skip over to Bali when i can, then go to New Zealand after for some travelling or working. Then maybe back over to Oz again and also, i want to go to Sri lanka, thailand, malaysia too.

My problem is that i'm self employed at the moment, in a job that i probably wouldn't get again when i get home. The money is great, best paying job i have had and after not being employed for a month or so last year it made me really appreciate the job i have now and not want to waste it and just leave.

So i'm stuck with this problem of having the urge to do something that is so great and will change my life in a good way for a few years, but i also am thinking i should be sensible and just stick at my job earn the money and follow the herd of people that get stuck in the same routine day in day out and live boring lives?

How much money realistically will i spend on this trip? Its not an issue for me but i have heard to get into oz you need 3k and a flight home booked or 5k on a single flight? When in Oz where would be the best place to find work? i was really interested in working in the outback on a camp or something although it would restrict waves, but then i'd break the time there up to allow for surfing. Sort of cash that will be earnt over there? i have heard its 20$ an hour roughly?

My thoughts are that i might just work as much overtime now as i can until christmas load the pot up with as much wonga as i can and then get a flight booked just before new year and just do it. I have such an urge to go and surf world class waves in warm water be around nice people and enjoy life, i'm only 22 so would be returning at about 24 if i took two years out. Would just be worried how employable i'd then be after not having practised my trade for 2 years

Anyway, hope you guys can offer some help and inspiration. Just re-read what i typed and it all sounds a bit jumbled up, but this has been going round in my head now for months and needed to get it down in writing somewhere!!

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!Take as much money as possible to maximise choice but act as though you have none.If its really surfing you want, don't go inland. Reckon you'll learn more travelling than continuing your status quo.Don't post gay porn on Aussie sites.....

I'd say do it. I don't know what your trade is or how much you get paid, but in Oz it's easy to get an unskilled job paying $25/hr. If you can use your trade over there then you might be looking at more like $40/hr, which I'm guessing is more than you're earning now? If you're working on a station in the outback then it'd probably be less as there'll be some kind of accommodation deal. You'll also be in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do and no-one to hang out with. Personally I'd stay nearer civilisation.

The pay rates are approximately double in Oz compared to New Zealand, so it makes sense to do the bulk of your work there. Also, if you're self employed, why wouldn't you be able to return to that type of work back in the UK afterwards?

I wouldn't think too much about how much money you will spend on this trip. It will be A LOT. But you will be earning a lot too if you're working so it's ok.

I've never had a problem coming into Oz or NZ with the bank balance thing. I was asked once approx how much I had and I gave a figure above the minimum and it wasn't checked.

The Australian surf line ups are competitive and generally aussies are really good surfers. The better waves in populated areas will be busy. New Zealand is less crowded and personally I've scored better surf there, but it's colder.

At 24 returning to the UK you should be perfectly employable, although I bet you won't want to come back as you'll enjoy it so much out here.

I saw something on facebook that summed up my thoughts quite well. It said:

"The biggest risk of all; not doing what you want on the gamble that you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later".

do it fella, im going in janruary, thailand, a quick trip to cambodia, laos and vietnam then down to indo for some surfing. work have given me 3 months off but if im having a good time im gona apply for jobs in the mines in oz via the tinernet. whats your trade? if its a craft then the oz mines are crying out for people to go work in them and its very high paying aswell, you just gota be prepared to live in the deserts in the east for x amount of time and work your guts out. ive budgeted £900 for 30 days in indo, thats with medium range accom, 12 beers a day, enough water every to keep me ticking , 3 meals a day and a bit chucked in for seeing some of the sites. its definetly worth buying the lonely planet guides to the countries your going to, help you budget everything out and youll know exactly where you want to go.